According to the article on James Turrell ("At Play With Night and Day in the Desert," by Wade Graham, Feb. 17), art is an expression of "faith in the possibility of liberation through a deep experience of the world." Really? Whose experience and whose world? Do we have to destroy the world to save it? What I see in Turrell is arrogance and hubris of the highest order. His $20-million Roden Crater project is an appalling desecration of nature and a waste of money. Is it a coincidence that it overlooks "the haunting expanses of the Painted Desert, adjacent to the Navajo and Hopi reservations"?

Letting North off scot-free is bad enough. But letting him loose to do "community service" among the troubled youths of Washington is beyond belief. North is a convicted felon, who lied to Congress, subverted the Constitution, shredded documents illegally, enriched himself at taxpayers' expense, trafficked in weapons and drugs and is responsible for the death of thousands of Nicaraguan civilians. A great role model for the youth of our nation! TANJA WINTER La Jolla

U.S. sabotage of the United Nations meeting on small-arms trafficking is an outrage (July 10). It is the most blatant evidence of the Bush administration's addiction to brute force and militarism, regardless of the consequences. Which nation is the criminal "rogue" state and the greatest menace to world people? Tanja Winter La Jolla

Although the aim of the new Scripps Aquarium is "to attract people who wish to learn more about the oceans," it's clear that only people with lots of money need apply. It's a disgrace for a UCSD facility, which is supported by tax dollars, to institute an admission charge of $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children. It's just another example of the elitist, exclusionary policy sweeping the country. If you don't have money, you don't count. I choose not to support that policy.

The barrage of "sour grapes" letters from all those Gabriel Garcia Marquez bashers who hate him for his progressive politics was quite revealing. Their response to "Gabo Talks" says more about their rigid world than it does about Marquez. They'll never forgive him for his sympathetic view of Latin American revolutions. Unable to face reality, they froth at the mouth at a suggestion that indigenous Latin American movements for social justice are legitimate, necessary and worthy of support.

Why is Tony Perry, in "San Diego at Large," (Oct. 27) promoting a crass commercial venture "Some Like It Lacey," which uses sexist video images to peddle "sexy" underwear? You also added insult to injury when you included a photo of a semi-nude woman in a compromising position, to highlight the item. Is it necessary for the Los Angeles Times to cater to prurient commercial interests to amuse its readers? Have we learned nothing about the commercial exploitation of the female body and its negative effect on women in general?

Re "Two Newts Battle for His Soul," Commentary, Oct. 14: Poor Arianna Huffington. She's the only one who is still enamored of the Gingrich "revolution," while everyone else already knows that it's a counterrevolution of the meanest kind. TANJA WINTER La Jolla What's so bad about Newt Gingrich? Should he be condemned for bringing fresh ideas and reform to the stagnant waters of Congress? Should he be ostracized for trying to balance the budget by amendment or otherwise? Should he be punished for attempting to correct the failing course of Medicare, Medicaid and public education?

U.S. sabotage of the United Nations meeting on small-arms trafficking is an outrage (July 10). It is the most blatant evidence of the Bush administration's addiction to brute force and militarism, regardless of the consequences. Which nation is the criminal "rogue" state and the greatest menace to world people? Tanja Winter La Jolla

Mona Gable's article on Tom Hayden described him perfectly ("Defining Tom Hayden," Dec. 10). During more than 20 years as a highly paid elected official, Hayden has demonstrated no leadership, no solid progress, no valid creativity, faulty planning and a string of failed programs. Sounds like he'd fit right in on the Los Angeles City Council. Mariene Waller Monterey Park Hayden is an extraordinary phenomenon--a brilliant public servant who truly believes in serving the people, especially those whose voices are never heard.

Re "Two Newts Battle for His Soul," Commentary, Oct. 14: Poor Arianna Huffington. She's the only one who is still enamored of the Gingrich "revolution," while everyone else already knows that it's a counterrevolution of the meanest kind. TANJA WINTER La Jolla What's so bad about Newt Gingrich? Should he be condemned for bringing fresh ideas and reform to the stagnant waters of Congress? Should he be ostracized for trying to balance the budget by amendment or otherwise? Should he be punished for attempting to correct the failing course of Medicare, Medicaid and public education?

Although the aim of the new Scripps Aquarium is "to attract people who wish to learn more about the oceans," it's clear that only people with lots of money need apply. It's a disgrace for a UCSD facility, which is supported by tax dollars, to institute an admission charge of $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children. It's just another example of the elitist, exclusionary policy sweeping the country. If you don't have money, you don't count. I choose not to support that policy.

John Glionna's "Down and Out in La Jolla," (May 10) provided us with a valuable glimpse of the homeless in "paradise." If nothing else, their presence here is a much-needed reminder that La Jolla is part of San Diego, which is part of California, the U. S. and the world. Somehow the myth is perpetuated that the rich are better, more virtuous and harder-working than the poor. And that the poor are lazy and shiftless and deserve what they get. This myth serves to absolve the well-to-do from social responsibility and blinds them to the consequences of their indifference.

According to the article on James Turrell ("At Play With Night and Day in the Desert," by Wade Graham, Feb. 17), art is an expression of "faith in the possibility of liberation through a deep experience of the world." Really? Whose experience and whose world? Do we have to destroy the world to save it? What I see in Turrell is arrogance and hubris of the highest order. His $20-million Roden Crater project is an appalling desecration of nature and a waste of money. Is it a coincidence that it overlooks "the haunting expanses of the Painted Desert, adjacent to the Navajo and Hopi reservations"?

John Glionna's "Down and Out in La Jolla," (May 10) provided us with a valuable glimpse of the homeless in "paradise." If nothing else, their presence here is a much-needed reminder that La Jolla is part of San Diego, which is part of California, the U. S. and the world. Somehow the myth is perpetuated that the rich are better, more virtuous and harder-working than the poor. And that the poor are lazy and shiftless and deserve what they get. This myth serves to absolve the well-to-do from social responsibility and blinds them to the consequences of their indifference.

Why is Tony Perry, in "San Diego at Large," (Oct. 27) promoting a crass commercial venture "Some Like It Lacey," which uses sexist video images to peddle "sexy" underwear? You also added insult to injury when you included a photo of a semi-nude woman in a compromising position, to highlight the item. Is it necessary for the Los Angeles Times to cater to prurient commercial interests to amuse its readers? Have we learned nothing about the commercial exploitation of the female body and its negative effect on women in general?

The barrage of "sour grapes" letters from all those Gabriel Garcia Marquez bashers who hate him for his progressive politics was quite revealing. Their response to "Gabo Talks" says more about their rigid world than it does about Marquez. They'll never forgive him for his sympathetic view of Latin American revolutions. Unable to face reality, they froth at the mouth at a suggestion that indigenous Latin American movements for social justice are legitimate, necessary and worthy of support.